TXCO
WKR
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2012
- Messages
- 899
First off Congrats! You'll have a great time and stories to tell.
Second, Wapiti summed it all up pretty good and I think saying its like going on a spike mountain goat hunt is perfect. I went to Kyrgyzstan in 2010 without a clue on what I was getting myself into. I will add on a little to it -
You are not in charge and there will likely be a big language barrier. Its ok, just know going into it. I spent 4 days with a guy who didnt speak English and no interpreter. There was a word I figured out pronounced "bulimna" or "balimna" that I guess translates to "this is called" so like bulimna rifle. It helped pass the time and we taught ourselves some different languages.
The guides will likely try to get you to shoot the first billy they find and even at a distance you may not feel comfortable with. Obviously not every ibex is a world record, but know what is realistic and know your comfortable shooting distance and try to get on the same page while in base camp.
Books/Ipod is spot on. Take lots of pictures, therefore extra camera batteries and charging packs or something like a goal zero.
The food is very bland typically. Bring a camping spice wheel or some pepper or hot sauce or something. Id also bring plenty of power bars and a couple mtn houses.
Assume once you hit base or spike camp they wont have anything you might typically find somewhere else, like electricity, chargers, etc. Really prepare like its a solo mountain trip and know you can always leave things in base or spike camp if they already have it. There are no stores to get something you wish you had. The US outfitters work with local guides who run the show and its fair to never assume they have something you need/want. Heck it may just be because the country is sold out of it.
Time of year will dictate weather but not necessarily how high you hunt. The guides are like sherpas in Nepal and can go anywhere faster than you. October/November can bring blizzards but congregate the animals. It gets real cold in a hurry.
Sunscreen, sunglasses, chapstick.
Spend a day or two in Instanbul if you can because its incredible. I heard you have to get a visa in person these days due to the P*ssing contest between Trump and Erdogan.
Have fun! Feel free to ask me with any questions.View attachment 65969
Second, Wapiti summed it all up pretty good and I think saying its like going on a spike mountain goat hunt is perfect. I went to Kyrgyzstan in 2010 without a clue on what I was getting myself into. I will add on a little to it -
You are not in charge and there will likely be a big language barrier. Its ok, just know going into it. I spent 4 days with a guy who didnt speak English and no interpreter. There was a word I figured out pronounced "bulimna" or "balimna" that I guess translates to "this is called" so like bulimna rifle. It helped pass the time and we taught ourselves some different languages.
The guides will likely try to get you to shoot the first billy they find and even at a distance you may not feel comfortable with. Obviously not every ibex is a world record, but know what is realistic and know your comfortable shooting distance and try to get on the same page while in base camp.
Books/Ipod is spot on. Take lots of pictures, therefore extra camera batteries and charging packs or something like a goal zero.
The food is very bland typically. Bring a camping spice wheel or some pepper or hot sauce or something. Id also bring plenty of power bars and a couple mtn houses.
Assume once you hit base or spike camp they wont have anything you might typically find somewhere else, like electricity, chargers, etc. Really prepare like its a solo mountain trip and know you can always leave things in base or spike camp if they already have it. There are no stores to get something you wish you had. The US outfitters work with local guides who run the show and its fair to never assume they have something you need/want. Heck it may just be because the country is sold out of it.
Time of year will dictate weather but not necessarily how high you hunt. The guides are like sherpas in Nepal and can go anywhere faster than you. October/November can bring blizzards but congregate the animals. It gets real cold in a hurry.
Sunscreen, sunglasses, chapstick.
Spend a day or two in Instanbul if you can because its incredible. I heard you have to get a visa in person these days due to the P*ssing contest between Trump and Erdogan.
Have fun! Feel free to ask me with any questions.View attachment 65969